The last picture shows how the body on mine was constructed. It looks like two thick pieces of mahogany seperated by a thin layer of some other wood in the center.
Dave
Statistics: Posted by swept57 — Tue Nov 15, 2011 2:03 pm
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The $6000 Cortez is at the site below, but just 'cause it says it sold and a $6000 price is listed, don't mean that is what really happened. I thought Cortez also made an acoustic double neck.
http://www.guitar-museum.com/guitar-569 ... Doubleneck
Description:
"According to Jack Westheimer, this is number 4 of less than 200 of this Guitar (100 in the US). It is in perfect condition and comes with an original hard shell case. It originally listed for $550 and is worth well over $10,000 (12-15 K Range). Mr Westheimer is at Extension 15 at what is now Cort Guitars in IL if you want to verify this."
Statistics: Posted by swept57 — Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:16 am
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Statistics: Posted by mrblanche — Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:40 am
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I believe it is the same model as mine & the $6000 one. I talked with a guy
in LA some time ago, that told me that there were less than 100 of these made & that they were only exported to the UK. Also said that this was the only double neck Cortez ever made.
I'm sure you'll agree with me that this is one Excellant made guitar!! Plays
& Sounds as good, if not better than the Gibson SG Double, & is a notch above the Epiphones. Seems heavier than the Gibson & Epiphone, & I believe it is all solid mahogany. Let's stay in touch on this!!
Best Regards,
Dave
Statistics: Posted by mancavedave — Mon Nov 14, 2011 6:59 pm
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This is part of an article about Jack Westheimer's company which tells of his Cortez branded guitars.
"Cort(ez)
Teisco del Rey and Kingston were not the only brand names associated with Jack Westheimer. Another, which would have added significance today, was Cortez. Cortez would be important because it's from that moniker that today's Cort brand derived, in abbreviated form.
The Cortez brand name dates bact to around '60, and the beginning of our tale. The Cortez brand was given (by Westheimer) to a line of good-quality Martin-style dreadnoughts manufactured in Japan by the Hiyashi (or Yashi?) factory. Westheimer dispatched some of his staff to visit the factory and work with them to develop the product, resulting in Cortez acoustic guitars. Remember, guitars were still called Spanish guitars in those days, an appellation that has fallen by the wayside; hence, the "Spanish" names like Cortez and del Rey. According to Westheimer, Hiyashi was one of the top Japanese acoustic factories, and it was responsible for many Cortez and Emperador acoustics. Hiyashi was bought out by Pearl sometime in the early '70s and that marked the end of its glory days.
Again, no reference materials are available to document Cortez guitars in detail.
Westheimer recalls one acoustic/electric model made by Hiyashi carrying his Emperador brand that was actually played by the Everly Brothers. Fewer than 180 of those guitars were imported because they just didn't catch on. One day, the Everly Brothers' manager called Westheimer to see if any more could be obtained because the Everly's guitars had run into repair problems. Westheimer was able to locate several examples in various warehouses and got them to the crooners. He still gets requests for that guitar.
Most Cortez guitars have fallen into a "copy" vein - Strats and Les Pauls. The latter came in both bolt-neck and set-neck versions, many made by Matsumoku, the factory responsible for many of the better Aria guitars, as well as the Electra, Westone, Univox, and Westbury brands. Matsumoku also made sewing machines, and was purchased by Singer in 1987, after which the guitarmaking operation was closed.
There are also some Cortez copies of the Gibson ES-175 that appear to be similar to Japanese-made Venturas of the time.
Cortez guitars were always made in Japan, never in Korea. The Cortez brand remained active at least until '86, although it may have lingered another year or two."
I find it extremely hard to believe that any Cortez branded guitar would fetch $15,000 or even $1500.
Statistics: Posted by Spud1950 — Sun Dec 05, 2010 9:30 pm
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reliable info will be greatly appreciated.
Statistics: Posted by mancavedave — Sun Dec 05, 2010 8:08 pm
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